ESTER - Tackling issues of Abuse and Exploitation A vision of meaningful change

Abuse and exploitation are very current issues that have been the damaging reality for many people in our digitally empowered world today. From the digital world to the physical world around us, these issues are rampant and affect countless individuals and communities. There is a huge need for engagement with all stakeholders – from law enforcement authorities to victims themselves. That’s the space that ESTER would like to use to engage proact

Nihal Sanjaya trapped in film title muddle says… Deal between producer-exhibitor vital to lift our film industry

Seasoned film world personality Nihal Sanjaya who has served the industry for more than three decades in various capacities is now making his mark as a movie producer and director with the release of ‘Senehasaka Sihinaya’ that is now being screene

Evoking memories of ‘Hansa Vilak’ producer

The late Albert Jayasinghe’s 41st death anniversary falls on April 9

“Lester by Lester as told to Kumar de Silva” now a Kindle edition on amazon.com

Today, April 5, is the 102nd birth anniversary of the Father of Modern Sri Lankan Cinema Dr. Lester James Peries. Ever since the launch of his first movie ‘Rekawa’ 65 years ago, volumes have been written about him over the years by others, bot

Kumar surprises Sumitra on her birthday

Kumar de Silva’s recent cover version of ‘Ganga Addara’, with his daughter Anarkali has been making news since it was launched on March 24. And what a surprise it was for Mrs. Sumitra Peries when she first got to hear it on her birthday mornin

102nd birth anniversary falls today Legendary Lester

The 102nd birth anniversary of globally renowned legendary moviemaker Dr. Lester James Peries falls today, April 5. Born on April 5, 1

Remembering Vivienne de Silva Boralessa

The fourth death anniversary of one of Sri Lanka’s pioneer female singers Vivienne de Silva Boralessa fell on April 2. Vivienne de Silva Boralessa who started her singing career at the age of eight, became popular with hit songs like Dura Pena Theni Thala, Nangi Nangi Rupika, Nawathinna Tissa, Sambudu Mangalle, Budu M

Kalubowila acupuncture clinic marks 16th anniversary Enhancing beauty with cosmetic acupuncture

In an era when everyone wants to feel good and look beautiful, there are concerns about the safety of products or services that people use to achieve this objective. In this context Chinese acupuncture offers a wide range of benefits to create long term changes to your skin, body and face through natural anti-aging treatment. Dr. Prasad Deshapriya who is the director of the Kalubowila Acupuncture Clinic which celebrates its 16th anniversary, and

unforgettables

The 59th death anniversary of Ananda Samarakoon who composed our national anthem, falls today, April 5. Ananda

Stunt course by Kumarawila

Seasoned film stunt director Wasantha Kumarawila is starting a course for students interested in stunts. WK Stunt School is situated at Madapatha Road, Piliyandala.

Launch of Shashi Prabath’s lyrics collection

‘Prema Thatake Hansarajani’ - the maiden lyrics collection of journalist Shashi Prabath Ranasinghe was launched recently as a Godage Publication. Shashi Prabath who has published more than twenty books including novels, poetry collections and works of academic research, includes a collection of songs he had written for several popular singers including Amarasiri Peiris, Nanda Malini, Shahsika Nisansala, Edward Jayakody, Jagath Wickremaisnghe, W.

‘Kodi Gaha Yata’ muhurath ceremony

The muhurath ceremony of the newest tele drama production ‘Kodi Gaha Yata’ was held in Colombo recently. Directed by Jagath Manuwarna, the tele drama is produced by Anil Bandara. Dilhani Ekanayake, Xavier Kanishka, Nadeesha Hemamali, Tharindi Fernando,Thilakshani Ratnayake, Randika Gunatilaka, Nalin Lusena, Dayadewa Edirisinghe, Sulochana Weerasinghe, Sampath Jayaweera, Kalana Gunasekara and others play the key roles in the tele drama.

99th AGM of the Sri Lanka Magic Circle

The prestigious Sri Lanka Magic Circle inaugurated in 1922 held its 99th AGM recently at its headquarters in Mt. Lavinia,following maximum health precautions connected with the current pandemic. The following were unanimously elected to the 2021 Council; President : Rohan Jayasekera Advisors: President Emeritus Kala KeerthiLt. Col. (rtd) Ronald de Alwis, Kalabooshana Shelton Jayasekera and Rohith. J. Silva ( Past Presidents) Vice Presidents:

Film directors’ AGM tomorrow

The Directors Guild of Sri Lanka (DGSL) will hold its AGM tomorrow, April 6 at 3.30 pm at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute auditorium in Colombo. Existing members of the guild in addition to those seeking new membership can take part in the AGM, the DGSL said in a statement. New office bearers will be appointed at the AGM for 2021-2023.

Saman Weeraman bids farewell

Well-known film director, screenplay writer and Nidahas Kala Sandanaya Treasurer Saman Weeraman passed away last Friday and his funeral took place at the Borella General Cemetery yesterday. The veteran attorney also served as a member of the Southern Provincial Council from 1993 to 1998. He was involved in movies like Kiri Madu Wel, Sri Siddhartha Gautama, Aloko Udapadi, Ayu, Nidahase Piya, Akarsha and others in various capacities.

Udayakantha starts 25th film ‘Ginimal Pokuru’

Veteran filmmaker Udayakantha Warnasuriya started work on his 25th film direction recently. The shooting schedule of the movie titled ‘Ginimal Pokuru’ will begin on April 22. Isuru Lokuhettiarachchi, Chulakshi Ranathunga, Charith Abeysinghe, Ananda Kumara Unnehe, Dilrufa Shanaz, Kum

Humanitarian Excellence Awards 2021

The 2021 Humanitarian Excellence Awards ceremony was held recently at the Postal Headquarters Auditorium in Colombo amidst a distinguished gathering.

Edward Jayakody

Stalking Social Media

Trixie was delighted that many social events had sprung up in Colombo. Even though she does not go out to where there are huge gatherings despite having had her first jab, she has a wonderful time looking at the photographs of the events, which are in plenty on the social platform. Her nephew had been kind enough to set up Facebook, Instagram and all the newspapers online for h

Young Leaders for Environment 2021

Back in 2018, ChildFund Sri Lanka, an international child development organisation working with children for the past 40 years in the country initiated a youth led Ecosystem Based Disaster Risk Reduction project. The project was implemented in 20 Grama Niladhari divisions in Nuwara Eliya, Puttalam, Batticaloa and Mullaitivu districts. The overall objective was to enhance resilience among the target community, particularly among youth and children

AN ELEPHANT DEAD ON EVERY DAY Extinction May Not Be That Far Away!

As reported in the media on the 25th of March, the Secretary to the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation announced that 83 wild elephants had been killed in as many days. As at the 29th of March, and as per media reports, this number has now risen to 87. These are the number of carcasses that have been counted. Others may have crawled into the depths of the jungles to die, far away from the prying eyes of their tormentors. For, as per

Broadway’s Diana musical to be shown first on Netflix

A new musical about Princess Diana will premiere on Netflix before a planned opening on Broadway in December, producers said on Tuesday, in an innovative move to promote the project. In one of the

Artist Rupaneethan Pakkiyarajah In search of connection at Paradise Road Galleries

Connoisseur and collector of all things beautiful; Shanth Fernando will host and present artist Rupaneethan Pakkiyarajah at the Paradise Road Galleries from 1st April. Born in Batticaloa in 1991 Rupaneethan Pakkiyarajah is a visual artist and teacher of sculpture and drawing at the Swami Vipulananda Institute of Aesthetic Studies of the Eastern University of Sri Lanka. Hailing from a family of artists and dramatists Rupaneethan has been exposed t

Creating the looks for CFW Ramani Fernando Salons

Celebrating a partnership of 18 years with HSBC Colombo Fashion Week, Ramani Fernando Salons has continued to create stunning hair and makeup looks for the models at CFW. Working over th

17th Raigam Tele’es on July 3

The Raigam Tele’es Secretariat announced that the 17th episode of Raigam Tele’es, which will evaluate tele-creations telecast over TV channels in Sri Lanka during 2020, will be unspool on July 3, 2021 at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Auditorium in Colombo. The “Nomination Evening” for the declaration and felicitation of nominees recommended for awards will take place on June 4, 2021 at Shangri-la Hotel, Colombo.

The first-ever LP release by Sunil Edirisinghe

Veteran singer Sunil Edirisinghe will soon be releasing a limited-edition double album as a long play (LP) vinyl record, to coincide with his 50th anniversary in music. This is the first Sri Lankan double vinyl album release in this millennium.

Thirimadura Film week

A film week focusing on movies featuring Kumara Thirimadura will be held at Liberty Cinema, Kollupitiya from March 31 to April 4 daily at 10.30 am, 2.30 pm and 6.30 pm. Dharmayuddhaya will be screened on March 31, followed by Tawme Iskole on April 1, The Newspaper on April 2, Thanha Rathi Ranga on April 3 and Gamani on April 4.

Cargills International Women’s Day Festival The Disruptors

On the final day of this festival which ran on four consecutive Mondays, moderator Savithri Rodrigo was in conversation with a panel of three inspiring women who are considered disruptors in their respective fields. The panellists were GoodLife Accelerator Co-Founder/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Hatch Works Director and former CEO Randhula De Silva, Ape Founder and COLLAB Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Himali De Silva, and Good

Pure Passion Jewellery

“The possibilities are infinite,” is the tag line for Shyam Hettiarachchi’s exquisite and creative jewellery collection. Her creativity and passion for making these wonderful pieces are incredible. Shyam has been creating exquisite line collections

Oscar-nominated US actor George Segal dead at 87

US actor George Segal, whose long film and television career spanned from the 1960s to the present day, has died at age 87. Segal, who was nominated for an Oscar for the 1966 drama “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf?”, died in Santa Rosa, California of complications from bypass surgery, his wife told the Hollywood